SF Marathon Ranked #2 Most Beautiful Marathon in the USA

Our city, your course, and now officially one of the most breathtaking races in the world! From postcard views to once-in-a-lifetime finish line feels, the San Francisco Marathon is officially one of the most breathtaking races on the planet. We’ve always believed our course was something special—but now, it’s official. The San ... More
A close-up on a woman with a yellow shirt wearing a continuous glucose monitor and tracking her meal

Glucose, Meal Tracking with Levels, and 3 Food Rules—Simple & Short

San Francisco Marathon Ambassador Scott Benbow continues on his journey of exploring the advantages of continuous glucose monitors for runners. Today, he'll talk you through his experience with meal tracking and food rules he found along the way. Written by SFM Ambassador Scott Benbow Edited by Pavlína Marek Earlier this year, I wrote ... More
A woman looks between a clock and a calendar with her period marked out, perhaps considering running.

Running on Your Period: Let’s Talk Science, Myth, and Health.

On the fourth day of my five-day ultramarathon in Kenya, I made it to the second aid station and went to use the bathroom. (By "the bathroom," I mean a military-style hole-in-the-ground, green-tent toilet with the most gorgeous view a toilet could ever have.) It was roughly ten in the morning and I still had about seven hours to go, and then ... More

Weird, Embarrassing, and Gross Moments in Running

Us runners have more than enough experiences we often can't really share with our non-running friends without scaring them off. Whether it’s withstanding mileage-induced hemorrhoids or being the accidental target of a snot-rocket, we have all experienced a Petri dish of embarrassing, gross, and weird moments while running. This is an ... More
race pace group

Pace Groups Etiquette, Demystified

Ever wonder how pace teams form, and what the etiquette is for running with them? Here are answers to the top 5 most frequent questions we hear regarding pace groups on race day. 2. Do I have to sign up? There is no sign up and pace groups are free to join. Locate your appropriate pacer at the start of the race and stand next to/nearby ... More
A close-up of two runners taking a break, sitting down, and enjoying a cup of coffee and running.

Coffee & Running: How Caffeine Helps Your Training + How Much to Drink

My favorite kind of run? One followed by a coffee date with my runner friends. Today, let's talk about the role caffeine plays in your training, and how coffee and running go together. Written & edited by Pavlína Marek The Relationship Between Coffee, Caffeine, and Running Performance Your pre-run coffee ritual doesn't just help ... More
Close-up of a person running on a wet wooden boardwalk in the rain, with water reflections and motion blur on their black sneakers and legs.

Visibility: City Running on a Dark & Rainy Morning

As autumn starts to bring rain and darkness for the early birds and evening owls, visibility becomes an important part of every runner's planning. What's SFM Ambassador Scott Benbow's tactic? In the late 1990s, I lived on a small tropical island in Micronesia that was soaked by over 18 feet of rain every year. Typically, I ran to and ... More
A pair of African American runners do a speed session and beginner plyometrics

Elevate Your Running & Prevent Injuries with Beginner Plyometrics

What's that big and scary word in the title? If you've ever wondered how to level up your running while keeping those pesky injuries at bay, let me introduce you to your new best friend: plyometrics. Whether you're a beginner runner or have been lacing up your shoes regularly for a few years, these simple and effective exercises can help you ... More
Anna Sandhu runs in the early-morning dark at the San Francisco Marathon

How Anna Sandhu, SFM’s Youngest Finisher at 13, Keeps Running and Reimagining Gut Health

COVID and Learning to Love Running When the pandemic hit and life slowed down, running became my anchor. The world felt uncertain, but those early miles and long yoga sessions gave my days structure and calm. During that time, I realized something important: I didn’t just enjoy running, I genuinely loved it. It wasn’t just training; it ... More
A group of runners at the For Rangers Ultra set out on their longest day as the sun rises behind them. Several runners set this goal despite their chronic illness.

Running with a Chronic Illness Ep. 3: Why You Need to Do Big Things

There can be a huge personal victory in finishing a race dead last. Of being the finisher with the longest finishing time ever. (Yes, I scoured the website and all past results. Yes, my finishing time of 52 hours and 7 minutes is the longest.) This is true especially when the finish comes despite, not thanks to, the circumstances of ... More